United Aims to Address Misuse of Sick Leave by Flight Attendants

United Airlines is looking to implement stricter measures that will prevent flight attendants from abusing the airline’s sick leave policy. The new sick policy says that flight attendants that will call out sick on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays will have to show a doctor’s note. 

However, this new sick leave policy is being reviewed by the Department of Labor. In a statement on Thursday, the Labor Department said, “Through numerous recent inquiries from workers, the Wage and Hour Division has become aware of a possible change in United Airlines’ leave policies.” It added,  “We will be working with the airline and workers to ensure that the company’s leave policies are in compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.”

A Contract Violation?

The Association of Flight Attendants, the union representing United flight attendants, openly announced that they are against the new policy. The union said, “Not only is this a willful contract violation, it is yet another demonstration of management’s lack of respect for Flight Attendants and our contract.” 

The contract that is in question is in its fourth year of renegotiation. Additionally, the union is taking a strike vote to pressure the United management. 

The union praised the Department of Labor after it announced that it is looking closer at United’s new sick leave policy. It said, “We applaud the DOL’s proactive response to these issues that we have raised with them and will continue our efforts to hold management accountable to our contract and the law.”

Crackdown on Misuse of Sick Leave

United Airlines clarified in a statement that “most United flight attendants are going above and beyond for our customers this summer. However, this year we’ve seen the number of sick calls spike on weekends – and only weekends. Our contract with the Association of Flight Attendants allows the company to require a physician’s note in cases of suspected abuse of sick time.”